Mayor Landrieu, Host Committee, international and national guests and media praise New Orleans as host city of Super Bowl XLVII

February 05, 2013

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Super Bowl Host Committee and City and Regional Officials showcased the positive results of Super Bowl XLVII. As, the Host City for this year’s Super Bowl, New Orleans provided a second to none experience for visitors and residents of the city.

Mayor Landrieu praised the group effort of the Host Committee, residents, City workers and volunteers. He also highlighted the preparedness and performance of the city as well as the powerful impact the game had on the region.

“I have never been prouder to be a New Orleanian. By every measure Super Bowl XLVII was a huge win for the city,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “This was a spectacular week and it only was made possible by great planning and great execution by all of our partners. Our tenth Super Bowl was without a doubt, our best one. Our entire team worked tirelessly for several years to prepare for Super Bowl week and to show the world that nobody can host a large scale event like this city. All of our projects were completed on time, our city was kept safe and we put on a great show for the world. Everyone involved went above and beyond the call of duty, from our executive team and the host committee to our fire and police departments, the 17,000 volunteers and all of the citizens of New Orleans who served as such gracious hosts. The City of New Orleans shined brightly on the world stage this week, but the story is much, much bigger than the Super Bowl. This is a story about the resurrection and redemption of a great American city. The Super Bowl gave us an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. We are so proud of our city.”

On the eve of Super Bowl XLVII, the Super Bowl Host Committee held its premeier community initiative, Super Saturday of Service. Super Saturday of Service resulted in the renovation and beautification of five New Orleans Recreation Development Commission playgrounds and facilities.

“It was one of the great Super Bowl weeks, and we thank the people of New Orleans for that." - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

“New Orleans is a warm, welcoming community and it deserved the opportunity to rise as a great Super Bowl venue again. The city welcomed the league, the media, the Ravens, the 49ers and football fans and showed them a great time all week.” – Vinnie Lyer, Sporting News

“New Orleans is so good at hosting events like this, he says, because of its experience as a host city, its love of the game and because it knows how to have a good time.” – Archie Manning, Former Saints Quarterback

“They’ve done a great job. They are a unique destination and they did well by getting their key tourist and convention areas back up and running after Katrina.” – Forbes

"[the success] will reverberate for years to come. In terms of press exposure, this is the most-covered, most-credentialed Super Bowl ever. It was a chance for New Orleans to tell its story, to show off our recovery and our culture." – James Carville

“We’re not just back, we’re better than ever. We’re not just a comeback story. We’re a push-ahead story.” – Mary Matalin

“The city has rebounded. New Orleans won the Super Bowl, and New Orleans is once again hosting the Super Bowl. It’s proof that a great city is back in business.” – The Arizona Republic

“Super Bowl 2013 in New Orleans is a tough act to follow as Super Bowl host.” – New Jersey Star Ledger

“This city is back and back in a fantastic way.” – Peter King, Sports Illustrated

“New Orleans, as far as Japan is concerned, has only heard the bad things that happen with Katrina and post Katrina,” said Ikuma Isaac of Nippon TV. “This is a great way to shine the spotlight on New Orleans to the world.”

“It is one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world,” said Antoinetta Collins of Univision. “I can say that because I’ve traveled. This place, the people make it so amazing.”

“There’s the flavor of the city, there’s the food, the music,” said Kevin Frasier of the Insider. “It’s the perfect place to gather. That is, no question, what I’ll take away.”

“New Orleans is the perfect Super Bowl host.” – New York Times

“Make no mistake; the Big Easy is back and better than ever.” - Bob Schieffer, CBS

“The real Super Bowl winner --Whether during Super Bowl week, Mardi Gras or any other party time—the city's energy and optimism are unmistakable. Americans are in a self-doubting mood these days, and not without cause. But the revival of New Orleans shows what self-government can accomplish when enough citizens choose to break up the corrupt status quo.” – Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal